What is the actual function of the PUC? The competing views… (Guest Poster)

Notice how Kristi Fiegen and Chris Nelson are never really talking about protecting the citizens? Kristi’s ads focus on protecting business. Does this mentality have something to do with her past positions with ALEC and the money each has received over the years from the energy companies they are to regulate? Read Fiegen’s material and listen to her ads, we’ll give you a moment, or two…. Look for these messages to let you care only about the corporation’s needs. Nowhere in their collective messages do the say they are protecting us, the citizens, from the abuses levied upon us. Think about it…

Hurt businesses in South Dakota versus hurt citizens of South Dakota? Since when is more import to protect business in South Dakota than the people? Is the PUC there to protect the businesses from the wrath of the people for the abuses perpetrated by the businesses?

After Governor Frank Farrar’s disastrous decision to regulate the REA coops in 1969 the people of South Dakota understood the real need for a strong people oriented PUC. For most of the next 40 years, Democrats had a seat at the table to keep the utilities functioning as they should, protecting the citizens. In 1973 a young person, a single citizen, from a small South Dakota town actually was able to bring an action before the PUC against Northwestern Bell. This action brought NW Bell to their knees. NW Bell was not allowed to have a rate increase for about two years because the PUC agreed with the teenager. I know this story well. I was the teenager. This action forced NW Bell to improve their service. This action was accomplished because we had a PUC who could not be accused of being tied to the utilities.

Kristi and Chris are tied to the ALEC utility companies they have to regulate. Who should we trust?

I wouldn’t be surprised if Fiegen has a promise if she doesn’t win. Of all the races in the state, this one concerns me the most. And it’s not like her opponent is stupid, incompetent or unethical, he is incredibly capable of the job, just on ethics alone. Cross your fingers for McGovern.

The Fiegen – McGovern race might be having problems for the GOP. A Fiegen attack ad is now up. Once again the GOP is against anyone with an education from returning to or arriving from anywhere to help us.
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Just like the other Matt running this year, the GOP seems to think only the narrow minded should be in power positions here. If we have an educated person running in South Dakota they might not be able to understand the warped reasoning the Washington DC based ALEC rulers command us to follow.